Director and group CEO of the Hazira Project Companies, Mr Nitin Shukla, has said that the marketing and technological studies for the setting up the non-LNG multi-cargo port - that can handle solid, bulk and containerised cargo at Hazira - had been completed and was just awaiting the final approval from the Shell board.

While it is waiting, Shell Hazira has already begun scouting for possible partners for the project with the Ahmedabad-based Adani Group showing interest.

Shell has already earmarked around US$600 million for the Hazira LNG terminal and port project and US$260 million has already been spent. The port project is expected to begin construction at the end of next year.

Shukla deems the expansion a necessity, as he believes that demand for LNG in India may soon outpace supply. To that extent, Shell is already considering doubling the capacity of its LNG terminal at Hazira sometime in the future.